Great quote: “People are always amazed by how much free time I have. They’re also amazed that I don’t know who Ally McBeal is. Frankly, I’m amazed that they can’t make the connection (Robert Wenzlaff).” There’s a parallel with Eastern religions: it’s funny how Westerners (A) don’t know much about Eastern religions (B) think Eastern religions are somehow peaceful (C) don’t see the connection between A and B. I’ve talked about mysticism causing violence. Today it’s Hinduism’s turn:
- Most know about the caste system, but underestimate its brutality. It still keeps hundreds of millions in the gutter. Literally: take a look at the diver caste whose hereditary occupation (since they’re untouchables) is to swim in sewage canals fixing them. The image at the top is of one such unfortunate (22,000 die in the sewers yearly from gas poisoning etc).
- For an insight into how divisive the caste system is, check out Bharat Matrimony (a matchmaking site with a formidable 12 million profiles). The search form assumes you’re seeking a very specific race/caste — and there thousands. A racial mystic’s wet dream.
- Speaking of which, the Nazis considered the Germans as descendants of the allegedly-superior Aryans (conquerors of India). Today many Hindus affirm the connection & claim Hindu superiority over non-Hindus. They read Mein Kampf as a solution to Indian problems. They can’t be dismissed as the fringe: they’ve been intimately connected with mainstream Indian politics (including the ruling party) for decades.
- During the Delhi riots (after Indira Ghandi’s assassination by a Sikh) about 4000 Sikhs were killed by Hindu mobs as revenge. Children were stuffed into tyres, doused with petrol and set alight. Politicians actively participated, whipping the crowd into a frenzy of religio-nationalist superiority. Sikh families were identified using the official electoral roll.
- Pogroms against other minorities, eg. Muslims, are also common. In Ahmedabad in 2002, 5000 were killed. The riots are accompanied by police apathy (or explicit participation).
- There’s great violence between castes: entire villages of lower castes in Bihar have been massacred by thugs who hate “uppity Untouchables”.
- Two great books on all this: The End of India by Khushwant Singh and The Age of Kali by William Dalrymple. From the second book:
The strength of caste feeling can be horrifying. Bhera Ram is a charming old man of the Bishnoi caste. He has ebullient moustaches, has never touched alcohol and is strictly vegetarian. He has 18 grandchildren, readily offers tea to visitors and smiles amiably as he chats about the harvest. Yet when I mentioned the plan to reserve government jobs for the lower castes, Bhera Ram narrowed his eyes.
“In the old days, under the Maharajah, everyone knew their place…how can a sweeper be my equal?”
[...]“Would you let a Harijan come in to your house?”
“If a bungi ever tried to come near my house I would beat him with my shoe, then I would kill him,” said Bhera Ram without hesitation.
People often say fanatics “pervert” religious teachings. I think Hinduism shows this isn’t true. It separates people into superior and inferior castes. Karma means lower castes deserve everything they get (they were bad in a prior life). It idealises India’s mythological past and sees the land of India as “holy” — laying the groundwork for a bigoted nationalism.
The extremists aren’t perverting Hinduism, they’re taking it to its logical conclusion.
4 comments ↓
Okay, this is so NOT EVER TRUE! Hindus DO NOT read Mein Kempf NOR do we agree with, much less idolize Hitler and his policies. Stop spreading hate and lies!
As for riots – they occur in communities. India has more than 10 religions and over 29 languages – how fuck do you expect all these people to get together? They ALL start riots and people defend themselves and react. Muslims, Sikhs, Jains have all rioted and killed hindus on many occasions. Don’t present half-assed facts to try and make your argument.
Also, what kind of an athiest calls himself “jewish”. Seriously. Try to do something all the way through.
Wait — so you’re telling me I don’t exist and yet you personally guarantee that there are NO Hindu fundamentalists who have taken on Mein Kampf as part of their ideology, evidence to the contrary? I didn’t say such an approach was mainstream but come on, is that what you’re really saying?
Also your bit about how the riots are essentially started by everyone but Hindus (and how the idea of not killing people of different religions appears ridiculous to you) is probably more damaging to the public perception of Hinduism than you think my post may be.
Seriously the author of this site needs to know more.
Joining parts of story together and concluding his own story is something we don’t see now a days .
Dear Author try to learn more..
Every religion has their countries like Christians have Christian countries, Muslims have islamic countries, Y can’t Hindus ask for their HINDU country ??
Hindu ask for Hindu nation are communal.
Muslims ask madarsas to be given equal preference to CBSC board is Secularism ??
Christians acquiring 2nd largest land in India after Railways is Secularism, but Some hindu baba aashram is Communal..
Get some life dude.. and try to show both side stories!!
PEACE SIGNING OFF !!
My reply would be pretty much the same as comment #2 so I might as well refer to that.
Also: are you actually saying that killing Muslims is not so bad because you don’t like the way Muslim communities are promoting medrassahs? Really?